The Associated PressOklahoma City fires P.J. Carlesimo after Friday night's blow out loss to the Hornets.

Losing to the New Orleans Hornets by 25 points Friday night in a nationally televised game, apparently was the last straw for Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti to make a coaching change.

P.J. Carlesimo, who had guided the Thunder to a 1-12 start, became the first coach to be fired this season in the NBA.

When the Thunder play the Hornets tonight at the New Orleans Arena, Scott Brooks will direct the team as interim coach.

Carlesimo was fired several hours after the Hornets routed the Thunder 105-80 to snap a two-game losing streak.

"This was a very difficult decision to make," Presti said in a statement. "It is one that I felt was necessary at this time.''